Glass slippers don’t fit
every size and shape of foot.
I won’t waltz bloody-toed
in silks that don’t suit me.
Let me run barefoot,
choosing silk or steel
depending on the way
my curls bounce at the moment.
Let me guide the magic
in well-woven words
in well-woven words
and make the fairy tales fit me,
instead of the other way around.
Song Choice: Girl Into Devil (I Belong to Me) by S.J. Tucker
This poem has been linked up to the Tuesday Platform at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads and Poets United Poetry Pantry 415.
Ah, such individuality and self-determination should be admired and promoted instead of those dreamy fairy-tale sequences. I liked this bit: "choosing silk or steel/depending on the way/my curls bounce at the moment".
ReplyDelete-HA
I am glad you enjoyed it
DeleteSometimes it takes a long to time to understand that being yourself is so much more rewarding that pretending to be someone else. If only more people would understand this.
ReplyDeleteIt is a hard but yes, rewarding lesson to learn.
DeleteSuch a magical and uplifting poem
ReplyDeleteThanks Jae!
DeleteYes! I love the first stanza, especially! Strong women are sexy and exciting! The reference to your bouncing curls is awesome!
ReplyDeleteWoot! Here's to all the strong ladies!
DeleteConversation would be more rational than dancing, but not nearly so much like a ball, one of Jane Austen's characters said.
ReplyDeleteTrue stories may be better than fairy tales, but not nearly so much like fairy tales.
We need both.
LOL, love that Austen quote
DeleteLove this! Love that you changed up the fairy tale
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary
DeleteLiked that attitude much...be beautif!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Sreeja
DeleteYou are so right Rommy! That is as it should be. Be true to who you are, and that is what you have done. Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie
DeleteBeautifully done, Rommy, and I enjoyed the hints of different fairy tales in this poem. I prefer colourfully patterned knitted socks to glass slippers - not only do they fit but they keep your toes warm in winter!
ReplyDeleteI require warm toes in the winter and I'm partial to more practical foot gear in any season.
DeleteI hope you don't mind a man dancing barefoot too... the only type of shoes to be really avoided are those red ones that make it impossible to cease dancing.
ReplyDeleteDon't mind at all! Kick off your shoes and dance. :)
DeleteThe third line of your first stanza brings to mind all sorts of thoughts I (and probably every one with a half-functioning brain) thought about the Cinderella story. Some things aren't worth the pain that must be endured in order to (maybe) achieve the "reward".
ReplyDeleteI am enchanted by the title of the piece, the power of its meaning echoes from line to line, from stanza to stanza...
I enjoyed playing around with the fairy tale idea until I had something that felt right.
Delete"make the fairy tales fit me,
ReplyDeleteinstead of the other way around"
Yes. Absolutely.
Here, here!
DeleteI won’t waltz bloody-toed
ReplyDeletein silks that don’t suit me.
well, why should you? or anyone else.
writing one own's fairy tale - now that's the ticket.
enchanting little poem, that speaks of empowerment and choosing the truth of self over the fantastical, which so often doesn't fit anyone's reality ...
dream the real dreams of you and then make that magic happen!
And sometimes, if we're really lucky, the truth ends up being better than any fairy tale we can imagine.
Deletemake the fairy tales fit me..
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an excellent plan.
I think so too :)
DeleteA fantastic idea! I love how you weave the motifs of well-worn fairy tales to produce your final stanza:
ReplyDelete"Let me guide the magic
in well-woven words
and make the fairy tales fit me,
instead of the other way around."
Perfect!
I liked playing around with these ideas quite a bit.
DeleteNice, nice. Though I doubt you feel like asking anyone's permission for anything. :)
ReplyDelete*giggle* You aren't wrong
DeleteI like the idea of making fairy tales fit a person rather than the other way around. And I am not a fan of glass slippers (smiles) whether they would fit my feet or not! Too pretentious and awkward.
ReplyDeleteI'll take comfort over pretension any day.
Delete"Let me guide the magic"...Aha...that's the beauty of life....
ReplyDeleteYes indeed
DeleteI absolutely LOVE this poem!💞 It isn't necessary that every fairytale suits a person.. everyone is unique and has a different perspective on life.. we each have unique tastes and goals.. which makes me adore your closing line even more!💞
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like it :)
Deletea great write! a self-determining poem, playful but meant
ReplyDelete"I won’t waltz bloody-toed
in silks that don’t suit me"
That's what I was going for :)
DeleteYes, I like that!! Make them fit!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed
DeleteI absolutely LOVE this. Barefoot instead of bloody-toed, your choice of gowns, you the author of your own fairy tale. Perfect. Reminds me of The Paper Bag Princess, a teeny book that cracks me up.
ReplyDeleteOh, I gotta find that book.
DeleteI loved that story. I read it to my kids when they were little.
DeleteI loved the lines "and make the fairy tales fit me,
ReplyDeleteinstead of the other way around"
Glad you like it
DeleteBarefoot is a good way of insisting on familiarity with your road, of a piece with fairy tales that fit. Great poem :)
ReplyDeleteKeeping your toes in the grass is a good (and quite literal) way of making sure you stay down to earth. :D
DeleteGreat title that proceeds to cascade to a yummy - albeit thoughtful/thought provoking - close. A much enjoyed read!
ReplyDeleteYes! I love it when poems can inspire thoughts.
Deleteand make the fairy tales fit me,
ReplyDeleteinstead of the other way around.
There ought to be a fight back to ensure one is in firm control!
Hank
LOL probably
DeleteYes! (I'm coming too.)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! C'mon and join the dance.
Delete